Many of the topics overlap with QOF targets, but NICE has said the quality standards will not supersede current indicators.

'Although quality standards may cover clinical and health improvement topics included in QOF, they are intended to supplement, not replace, current QOF indicators,' a NICE spokeswoman said.

GPC member Dr Bill Beeby welcomed the standards.

But he warned it was unclear how GP commissioners would manage to meet them when current arrangements had failed to.

RCGP clinical lead for diabetes Dr Brian Karet said that guidance on services for people with type-1 diabetes could be helpful to commissioners.

But he questioned the need for another guideline on commissioning type-2 diabetes services. 'There's loads of stuff already out there,' he said. 'It is ridiculous that we have to have so many guidelines. Do we really need another one? Is anyone going to take any notice of it?'

The quality standards 'are intended to provide a clear description in around five to 10 statements of what a high quality service would look like', NICE said.

The standards could also 'be used for clinical audit and governance reports as well as in professional development'.